Job title: Material Buyer
Job type: Permanent
Emp type: Full-time
Industry: Infrastructure
Functional Expertise: Operational
Salary type: Annual
Salary: Negotiable
Location: Head Office, Hessle
Job published: 27-04-2026
Job ID: 66621
Contact name: Heather Sweetman
Phone number: +447776102166
Contact email: hsweetman@elvetrecruitment.com

Job Description

Elvet Recruitment is excited to be working with a well-established civil engineering and building contractor who is seeking an experienced Materials Buyer to join their team in the North East Lincolnshire / Humberside area.

With over 40 years of industry experience, this contractor has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality projects across the UK. Operating with a turnover of approximately £50 million, they work across a wide range of sectors and maintain a loyal client base with a significant number of repeat contracts. As a privately run business with a stable and collaborative workforce, they are committed to continuous improvement, professional development, and delivering best value across all projects. This opportunity offers the chance to play a key role in supporting nationwide operations from a well-established and supportive head office team.

The Materials Buyer is responsible for ensuring the efficient procurement of materials and plant across multiple live projects, supporting delivery teams nationwide. This role involves managing supplier relationships, securing best value, and maintaining strong communication across internal departments and external partners.

What You’ll Be Doing

Procurement & Ordering

  • Order construction materials, plant, and related services across all operational sectors.
  • Ensure all materials are sourced in line with project specifications, programme requirements, and budgets.
  • Maintain accurate purchasing records and ensure compliance with procurement procedures.

Supplier & Market Management

  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers, trade bodies, and industry partners.
  • Proactively monitor market trends, product developments, and supply chain initiatives.
  • Seek out and onboard new suppliers to improve service, value, and availability.

Commercial Awareness & Value Engineering

  • Prepare Excel-based price comparison sheets to ensure best value is achieved on every project.
  • Challenge costs and specifications where appropriate to drive efficiencies and savings.
  • Support internal teams in promoting commercial awareness and cost-effective procurement.

Coordination & Communication

  • Liaise closely with site teams, estimators, and management to support project delivery.
  • Maintain continuous communication to track contract progress and resolve issues promptly.
  • Work collaboratively across departments to meet programme requirements and deadlines.

Compliance & Documentation

  • Maintain a full understanding of purchasing strategies and ensure all procurement is auditable and compliant.
  • Resolve delivery discrepancies by comparing purchase orders against delivery documentation.
  • Obtain relevant health & safety and material information to compile handover documentation at project completion.

What We’re Looking For

  • Experience working within construction or civil engineering procurement.
  • Strong multitasking ability, managing multiple live projects simultaneously.
  • IT literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
  • Proactive, adaptable, and able to respond to the changing demands of the construction industry.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to liaise professionally at all levels.
  • Confident decision-maker with the ability to challenge where necessary.
  • Team player who can also work independently in a fast-paced environment.
  • Good knowledge of building and civil engineering materials.
  • Knowledge of highways specifications (desirable).
  • Passion for delivering best value and high-quality service.

Role Information

  • Monday to Friday, full-time office-based role
  • Based in East Yorkshire (Hessle office)
  • Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
  • 25-day holiday entitlement plus public holidays
  • Company bonus scheme paid annually
  • Health care benefits
  • Continuous personal development
  • Company pension
  • Free on-site parking

This is a permanent position, and Elvet Recruitment Limited will be acting as an employment agency for permanent recruitment on behalf of our client.

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Please contact Heather Sweetman at Elvet Recruitment to discuss this opportunity in more detail.